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Irwin Epstein's avatar

“Everyday Grief” is a great title. For anyone who has deeply loved and lost, grief is an everyday occurrence.

Distinguishing it from “Prolonged Grief” which is an official DSM clinical diagnosis is easier for the clinician armed with a questionnaire and test scores than for the one who has lost a beloved partner, parent or friend.

But writing about loss is a salve. And after reading my loss memoir about men friends, my very alive and always critical film-critic friend commented “You write like a writer!” I couldn’t have been happier.

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Cindy Eastman's avatar

What a great compliment--"you write like a writer!" And what a great topic for a book--the loss and grief men feel. Whenever I hold a "Writing Through Grief" workshop, it has been all women attendees. A couple of times, a man or two expressed interest, but never signed up.

However, I am very happy that my anthology has several men writers sharing their stories! I was very happy about that.

(Thanks for appreciating my title...I loved it, but, alas, it was changed by the publisher.)

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Irwin Epstein's avatar

Hi thanks. Sorry about your title—publisher knows best? I don’t always think so. My book “Men as Friends” came out a bit too soon. Its message is perfect counter to the current MAGA-bro bullshit that Trump and Vance exemplify. It’s targeted to men, but women like it too. No surprise. The softer side of masculinity

Try it you might like it. 🤷🏼‍♂️

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Cindy Eastman's avatar

I'll put it on my list, now! :)

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Fanen Chiahemen's avatar

Great read and I particularly resonated with the realization that writing can help to make sense of our lives. Not only does writing alter your perspective by you becoming a narrator of your story, but the meaning-making and affect labelling it provides also helps you process things.

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Kelly Thompson TNWWY's avatar

Loved learning more about Cindy! “Everyone’s path to their own story looks different than anyone else’s. “

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Cindy Eastman's avatar

Thanks, Kelly! Substack is good for getting to know each other, yes? :)

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Jennifer Silva Redmond's avatar

I love Silver Linings, so it was a joy to find Cindy here chatting my friend Sari. ❤️ I agree about She Writes Press. I've edited a couple of their books and read dozens more, and they truly do it right.

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Cindy Eastman's avatar

Thanks! It's nice to see you here, too! ♥️

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Audrey's avatar

I too have loved writing as long as I can remember. My problem it I don’t do it often enough therefore making it harder not to constantly become stuck unnecessarily. This tends to be very discouraging and frustrating.😪

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Christine Beck's avatar

Audrey, I solved that problem by creating a Substack called Beck and Call and giving myself a weekly deadline. So far I’ve met deadline every week since October 2023. I just pretend I’m Anna Quindlen! Lol.

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Cindy Eastman's avatar

Thank you for your comment. Writing when you can is still writing and it sounds like you're doing that. (And you can always consider me a resource if you ever want to talk about it. :)

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Still Dreaming's avatar

Exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you.

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Simone Senisin's avatar

Thank you for an inspiring interview. I can relate to the caregiver, teacher and grief experience. I look forward to reading this. 🙏

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Cindy Eastman's avatar

Thank you--I'd love to hear what you think! :)

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